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THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

11. M. Ship Vindictive, at Hong Kong, Friday, 8th July, 1842. To the Editor of the FRIEND OF CHINA AND Hong Kong Gazette.

SIE, HAVING just seen in your paper of yesterday, a state- ment relative to an affray with two Pirate Vessels having taken place

on Sunday, the 3rd instant," in sight of the feet "thereby

evidently meaning to throw censure on the officers in command of Her Majesty's Ships at this an- chorage for not aiding the Paradox Schooner in the capture of these Pirates, and which consure your leading remark confirms.

In the absence of Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, who is at Macao, I find it my duty as the Senior Officer at this port, to give a direct contradiction to the state- ment that has been made, as to the affray having taken place in sight of her Majesty's ships; indeed, the account given of it in your paper must at once, as you will, I am sure admit, Sir, prove that this statement is so far incorrect, for it is represented that it was only when the Paradox

x rounded or was rounding the point near Green Island. that the two pirate boats were seen close in shore; hence, it must be manifest that these boats could not have been observed-from any of Her Majesty's Ships at this anchorage, the LAND being between the ships and them. In truth it was not until I saw your paper that I knew any thing of the transaction, nor do I think that Sir Thomas Cochrane was aware of it when he left this place, on Monday last, the 4th instant. Of this, I am positive, Sir, that had the attack you describe been seen from either of Her Majesty's Ships on Sunday last, the Rear Admiral would have hastened to have sent the boats of the squadron to have aided in the capture of the Pirate Vessels, for I well know it is his earnest desire, as it must be mine, and that of every officer on the station, to put down piracy in every form, and above all, to protect the lives and properties of the subjects of Her Majesty whenever and wherever it may be put to

hazard.

I am,

Sir,

Your very humble Servant, - J, Tour NICHOLAS, Captain, and senior officer at Hong Kong

OPIUM IN SIAM.

DEAR SIR, Opium in Siam has long been a contraband article, still it has been illegally introduced into the country being brought from China in Junks and from Bombay and Singapore in Arab and English ships. The con-

ing himself for a time in pulling his little boat with his own hands about the river and canals of Ban- by the single catty, Besides the sum paid to the king, kok, for the purpose of selling pork from house to house he is expected to make a present of a catty of silver (eighty ticals) to each of the princes, and smaller sums to several of the nobles, according to their rank. When we add these several sums to the eighteen peculs paid to His Majesty, and to the sum of this add the expense of materials and making, and then reflect that it is sold for a fuung a pint, or about thirty cents per gallon. we may form some conjecture of the amount consumed and its probable consequences upon the habits and welfare of the people. It may have occurred to the mind of the reader that this suppression of the opium traffic, has rather the appearance of a commercial transaction ex- changing a contraband article of foreign growth for one of domestic manufacture yielding no-little income to the treasury.

Yours, &c.

4th July, 18

1842.

To the Editor of the

W. D.

Macao 9th July 1842.

FRIEND OF CHINA,

very great discriminating duties on Foreign Sugar, and the Slave trade.. Unembarrassed by this question was a reference to the connexion subsisting therewith. he said he should have felt it his duty to have proposed a considerable alteration on this subject. He added “I cannot-consent, neither can those with whom I have effect of which would be to permit the import of the Sugars of Brazil and Cuba and net as an encourage. the honour to act, acquiesce in any arrangement the

gated Cant and I hesitate not to say so, although ment of the Slave Trade." This to my mind is unmit- I have always held as detestable the assumed right of scruples have we ever had in using Sluve grown Cotton man to hold as property his brother man. But what or Tobacco After the sickening verbiage of last session Sir Robert felt it no doubt necessary, to do thus much homage to the Tory pseudo-philanthrophy which, as unqualified humbug he must have in his heart des- pised.

As I am talking about Sugar will not the low duties on colonial preserves affect in some measure the home consumption of raw Sugar? I see preserved Ginger is admissible at 1d per pound duty if the produce of and from a British possession. Now what is to prevent any Hong-kongian under this statute (when it is law) is a very amusing article, in which an extract from packing it in Barrels with a very strong syrup of Sug IN to days Press there from buying Ginger (for it is a product of our Island) your paper which is deemed by the sapient Editor thereof to be "a specimen of commerical speculation Channel Islands, have been sending in lozenges which ar. By one of your papers, I see the folks of the of which the data on which it is founded are altogether (being admissible at a lower duty than raw Sugar), erroneous!" Can you survive after such a remark? enabled them by reconverting the lozenges, to save at How far he was justified in saying this, you will soon see. But I must premise, till the learned Editor's out, that on a large Scale this Preserved Ginger could least 10s per hundred weight on the duty. I make remarks of this day appeared, I really thought Formo-be sold in London with a good profit at actually less sa was part and parcel of China. It however seems I was wrong for who dare deny that the Critic whom I Sugar. And for confectionary purposes, the Syrup per pound than the duty (4d per b) payable on raw am now criticising is as unrivalled in geographical (although flavoured with Ginger) would be reconverti- knowledge as he is in commercial information? ble and saleable in quantity, at least thirty to forty per cent under the article now extensively in use, made from lump or refined Sugar.

Hoping you will find admission for these hasty re- marks in your columns,

I remain

China cannot as he of the Press makes out be a Sugar exporting country--because forsooth it imports largely, admirable logic! Why during 1839, England which consumes, it is said one fifth of all the sugar produced in the whole world, yet managed to export Raw and Refined Sugar to the amount £1,500,000 sterling Does not England import Sugar? Then Hongkong, 9 July, 1842. the Gazetted Average price in Bond of Muscovado Sugar has during the last Seven years been taken all together above 40s. per Ct. The "Press" yet

makes out that the Soft Sugar of China cannot be im ported into London under 44d per ib; or 42s per Cwt. I confess I think your statement of 2d

lb too low, per certainly at 3d it could be regularly delivered in Bond including all expenses. It is highly probable if no impediments, or duties on Export hence were imposed, it might be laid down at less. The Press says the cost of Chinese soft sugar averages 6 to 9 dollars per:

Your obedient servant,

DULCE,

OUR commercial advices from Calcutta reach to the 28th May, by which means we learn that the 23rd of that month. 4th Opium sale of the season took place on the

The following is the result.

Chests. Highest

Patna 1,555 Benares 900

The

860

810

Lowest Ave.

825 *840,121 800 803,22

sumers are chiefly Chinese, though many of the Siamese, picul, The Macao and Canton Price Current of the Vich has on board about 500; the

including some of the nobility, use it. In 1839 the consumption of the article had become so extensive as to awaken the fears of His Majesty, when he issued an edict threatening imprisonment and a confiscation of property to all who persevered in the trade or use of it. To some of his subjects who had long been addicted to the habit, he granted favor by allowing a restricted quantity daily until they might be able to discontinue the practice altogether. This edict was printed at Bankok, and circulated throughout the different parts of the kingdom. As the result, about five hundred chests of opium were deposited at the King's palace, many thousands of Chinese lodged in prison, and much op pression and extortion was practised by the petty officers. Notwithstanding the severe measures and apparently sincere intentions of His Majesty to put an end to a traf fic which was taking large sums of money from the country without returning an equivalent to his own private coffers, still he is obliged to content himself with a reduction instead of a removal of the evil, and in some cases the innocent have pined in filthy prisons and their families suffered in poverty, while the guilty have roamed at liberty and harped upon the oppression of the

government. Seizures continue to the present time, and the prisions are sometimes vacated for new occupants while the old ones are sent to the wars.

a matte

But while the use of opium has been much reduced, that of intoxicating drank has been greatly increased. Whereas sevent

ngo a drunkard was regarded by a Siamese with

ngs of the great abhorrence, and none among the

ere seen intoxicate now it has become

currence, and the dignity of the priesthood are too often consequent upon this vice. ersonal ruim entailed upon re not to be wholly credited trade but while they have ed one evil for mother. them from istian

rank and the involved in th But the

this

peop to the

ictims

the extent

5th July quotes it 4 to 7 dollars a picul that is 1d to 3d per Ib here. Add for freight, Insurance, Commis- sion and loss of weight (and it is quite ample) 1d per lb, so that at present high rates the Press statement is quite erroneons. If I tell you that Sugars have been bought within the last six months in China considera. bly under 3 dollars a picul this is a fact I know; you

will then admit the Press ought to get some friend to veriby its interested mercantile statements, before it prints them and especially when its Editor presumes to dogmatise thereon.

As a commercial man I thank you for your exer- tions to obtain Justice for Chinn. You are quite right in urging the equalisation of the Sugar duties, despite what the Press says, China is and will continue to be a Sugar exporting Country. The refined Sugars of China if properly laid down would have (during late years) paid to have sent to London for re-exportation to the British Sugar Colonies!!! What think you of that fact, Mr. Editor. I say nothing of the Consump tion of English refined sugar on the Continent of Eu. rope, which might be successfully competed with, in deed superseded in many instances by the Chinese

Clown 180 chests; and the re- mainder of the Opium will probably be shipped in the John Brightman, Mermaid, Bengal Packet, Cowasjee Family, Framjee Cousnjee, and Weraaff, which are bound for the Straits and China,

The Calcutta Market is represented as holding very little encouragement for the Shipment of Straits produce.

Freights to England, £2 10 a 3 per ton.

Ditto to China, 82, per bale of cotton. Exchange on England, 2513d.

THE STORM AT CULCUTTA By the Water Witch we were kindly favored by Captain REYNELL with the En- glishman of the 4th and 6th instant, from which we are enabled to lay before our readers very full particulars of one of the most awful storms we have seen recorded in India, that occurred in Calcutta, beginning in the middle of the night of the 3rd instant, and ceasing on Sunday the 5th and we regret indeed to find that destruction of life and property has been so fearfully extensive as is represented by our contemporary Though the damage on shore was as extensive as could well be, no description of property having escaped uninjured either wholly or in part, espi- cially among the native population, we grieve to say I might go on, but I fear you will not find room for that the loss of shipping in the river was if possible still my letter, if I should go more into detail therefore, greater. There are no less than forty Vessels that have do not remark, but I hope you will on the silly flippantun foul of each other, and thus injured themselves irre-

article.

cy nor on the self satisfied, conceited tone of the re-mediably, whilst there are many others that have been marks in que'stion, which after all is perhaps your allair, rather than mine.

TO THE EDITOR OF

SI

I remain YOURS &c. &c

S. H.

THE FRIEND OF CHINA,

I have been much interested in your remarks on the new Tariff of Sir Robert: Peel Ho may have expected I certainly did not.

a measure to be brough

manding majority

think the new

the hou

are

thou

driven ashore complete wrecks, Such an extensive damage among shipping we do not remember to have heard of and the loses consequent thereon to owners and Insurance Offices must we fear, be proportionably great. The small craft also suffered very material and the boat-men have either entirely lost their boats or found them shattered to piecies they are it appears also great sufferers, many of them having lost all their good

Besides the Vessels menti ed as lost, two ers are also said to have gone down. But

lamentable of the occur ces, we re the loss of the Globe and the Symmetry. went down off Kedgeree, with all but

saved-and:

row which was two of

und four ded

the

ber